Sask. lawmakers pass motion to bring gun laws home

With a rare unanimous “yes” vote in the Saskatchewan legislature, a private members’ motion on guns passed Thursday.

The motion from Carrot River Valley MLA Fred Bradshaw calls on the federal government to “devolve” or pass on responsibility for all parts of The Firearms Act to the province so it can administer and regulate gun possession itself.

A news release from the Government of Saskatchewan’s caucus office said the motion was introduced in response to Bill C-21. The federal bill made changes to the Firearms Act, including putting a freeze on handgun sales, changing the technical definition of an assault-style firearm, and prohibitions against ghost guns.

At one point, the bill had included a provision that would have put some hunting rifles and shotguns on a prohibited list, but that was removed.

The news release said the changes effectively erased the value of handguns “despite the fact that most handgun crime is committed using illegally trafficked and acquired handguns.”

The release said the provincial government won’t “stand idly by as the federal government brands thousands of law-abiding citizens as criminals,” then goes on to clarify that it still does support work to reduce the criminal and illegal use of guns.

All of the Saskatchewan Party, Saskatchewan NDP and independent members present in the assembly Thursday voted to pass the motion.